Emmanuel Reinert, Executive Director of ICOS, participating in the France 24 debate: "Afghanistan: tougher than Iraq" (10 February 2008).

Part 1 / Part 2.

Emmanuel Reinert, Executive Director of ICOS, talks to Russia Today about the deterioration in the security situation in Afghanistan (29 December 2008).

Norine MacDonald QC, President of ICOS, talks to CNN about the increasing presence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Taliban have a presence in 72% of the country now, up from 54% in 2007 (10 December 2008).

> All TV interviews

  Jorrit Kamminga, Director of Policy Research, on ICOS' Poppy for Medicine project (October 2009).

  Raymond Kendall, former Secretary General of Interpol and Chair of the ICOS Advisory Board, talks about recent changes in US drug policy in Afghanistan and at home (July 2009).

  Sir Keith Morris, former UK ambassador to Columbia and member of the ICOS Advisory Board, talks about his experiences in Columbia and how they have led to his interest in global drug policy (July 2009).

  Alexander Jackson, Policy Analyst, on the increasing Taliban presence in Afghanistan (11 September 2009).

  Norine MacDonald QC, President, talks to BBC Radio 4's The Today Programme about the Taliban controlling 72% of Afghanistan (8 December 2008).

  Jorrit Kamminga, Director of Policy Research of ICOS, on Radio Netherlands (20 August 2008).

> All radio interviews

KABUL – Field research of the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) shows that the international community is experiencing severe difficulties in the crucial battle to win over the hearts and minds of the local population in southern Afghanistan.

The ICOS report assessed local perception through extensive interviews of over 500 Afghan men in Kandahar and Helmand provinces in southern Afghanistan, the scene of some of the war's most intense fighting.


The Bad News
“There is a serious "relationship gap" between the international community and the Afghan communities we intend to assist and protect,” said Norine MacDonald QC, President and Lead Field Researcher of ICOS. “The international community is failing to effectively meet the needs of the local population or understand their world view. We are also failing to explain ourselves or our objectives to the Afghan people. This provides clear opportunities for Taliban and Al Qaeda propaganda against the West and has resulted in high levels of negative attitudes towards our troops on the ground.”

“70% of the Afghan men we interviewed felt that the military operations in their area were bad for the Afghan people. 55% believe that NATO-ISAF are in Afghanistan only for their own benefit, to destroy or occupy the country, or to destroy Islam,” said MacDonald. “Further demonstrating this negative viewpoint, 75% of interviewees stated that they believe foreigners disrespect their religion and traditions, 68% believe that NATO forces do not protect the local population”.
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